May 04, 2023 Pageview:380
Most electronics and gadgets do not have many issues regarding their battery size. Especially for smartphones, each model gets a battery specifically manufactured for it. However, things used to be a little problematic for electronics with lesser space, but now that problem is also solved thanks to the rechargeable button batteries.
While these batteries come in the same size, their working is much different, with the biggest difference being that you can recharge them once the battery runs out.
What are the characteristics of a button battery?
Every battery type is made for specific requirements, so it is designed with some characteristics. For example, smartphone lithium batteries are flat, automobile lead-acid batteries are big, and solar batteries are large. The same is the case with the button cell batteries, as these are made to meet certain characteristics as follows:
1.Small
The first characteristic of these batteries is that they are small. These batteries are for wristwatches, tiny toys, electric thermometers, and hearing aids. So, their size is kept small.
2.Round
These batteries are kept around for many reasons. Firstly, it allows for easier installation of different devices since the batteries are small. The round shape makes manufacturing and packing simpler and cost-efficient as well.
3.Flat
When the capacity of these batteries needs to increase, we cannot redesign them into bigger sizes. Increasing the height or thickness of these batteries is impossible, which is why the bigger batteries often come in a slim and wide form factor. Keeping them flat can help with easier installation in low-profile products.
4.Long-lasting
These batteries are not designed to give high-power outputs. With only low power output from these batteries, their life can be well over years of usage. That’s why you don’t need to change the battery of your wristwatch very frequently.
Are all these characteristics good and safe?
No, all these characteristics might be good for certain applications, but these are not safe in all cases. For example, some of these batteries are so small that kids can swallow them. The thing about button batteries is that their terminals are so close, and the muscles inside a human body can make a circuit between those terminals, resulting in internal muscle damage. The worst part about these batteries is that they don’t run out quickly under less load.
How to choose a button battery?
Although these batteries are small, flat, and round, these also come in different variations, and choosing the right one matters for the correct performance of your electronics. If you are looking for a replacement button battery, here are the main steps that you can take to choose your battery:
Start with the first two letters to check the battery type
On the battery, you will note that there is an alphanumeric code. The code starts with 2 letters followed by some digits. You need to look at those letters first. These tell the chemical competition technology of the battery. Checking it is important since every technology has different:
Lifespan
Power output characteristics
Safety for throwing in trans
So, for the best experience, it is better to always go with the battery type already being used.
Check the numeric code to get the perfect size.
Now moving towards the digits labeling the battery, getting these to match exactly with the battery you need is the key. It is because these digits tell you the exact size measurements of the battery, including its height and diameter. For the best performance, getting the same battery size is essential since it will install perfectly and provide the exact power that your device needs.
Can you use a button battery of the wrong size?
Even if two batteries have similar sizes, checking their labeling alphanumeric code is necessary. It is because two same-looking batteries can have different:
Composition
Charge capacity
Voltage
Size, etc.
So, changing two incompatible batteries in your devices will decrease the performance and can also put the electronic components at risk.
How long does a rechargeable button battery last?
While switching from the non-rechargeable to the rechargeable button batteries, you might think how long it would last. It is a genuine question since users want to determine if this switch to a better environment will help the environment. Certain factors can affect the life of your button battery when it is rechargeable, and the most important ones include:
The lifespan limitation of rechargeable batteries
The first thing you need to note is the lifespan limitation of these batteries. Depending on the battery composition, these batteries will have a lifespan limitation of around 3 years or 500 charge cycles. It means that whichever comes first, your battery will be degraded after that. However, it also means that you can reliably use your battery before that limitation is met.
Charging and usage conditions
The way you charge and discharge these batteries can also affect their life. Some people do not care for the life of their batteries. Overcharging, over-discharging, and incomplete charging are the most common issues these batteries face, and all of these can shorten the life of these batteries.
Environmental condition
Environmental conditions like extremely hot or cold temperatures can hinder the performance of these batteries. If you charge or discharge the battery in such conditions, it will permanently damage it, shortening its lifespan.
The charger used
Not using the correct charger is also a major problem that can damage the batteries. So, it is ideal to always use the recommended charger for these batteries.
Leaving these batteries unused for a while
Lastly, if you leave these batteries unused for a while, it is good to charge them afterward. Additionally, giving them a recharge before using will help a lot. Otherwise, they will lose performance and life quickly.
Conclusion
The button cell batteries added to the amount of battery waste produced for a long time. However, with the advancement of these batteries in the rechargeable field, things are changing now. These batteries can provide much longer operational time for most applications than non-rechargeable ones.
It is because when the battery dies, you can simply recharge it and use it again, and with a life of as long as 500 cycles, it means years of uninterrupted usage from one battery.
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